dangerous ground. He had, however, gone too far to let the matter drop
suddenly without any attempt to brazen out the situation.

"Humph!" he said; "I suppose you put it back yourself."

"I was the means of its being brought back. I found it in the pocket
of an officer named Lawson who was killed in Egypt."

The withering tone and scornful curl of the lip was on the other side
now. The visitor was fully aware of it, and winced as though he had
been cut with a whip.

"Mr. Lawson had been stationed with the regiment at Melchester, and I
happen to know how the watch came into his possession."

Raymond saw that he had rushed into a pitfall of his own making--he was
entirely in his opponent's hands--and like the mean cur he was,
immediately began to sue for forgiveness and terms of peace.

"Hush!" he cried, glancing at the door. "Don't say any more, the
servants might hear. I'm very sorry I did it, but you know how it was;
I was pushed for money, I say, you haven't told any one, have you?"

"No. Uncle John and Aunt Mabel know; though I don't think you need
fear that they will let it go any further."

"That's all right," continued Raymond, in a snivelling tone. "I was
badgered for money, and I really couldn't help it. I've been sorry
enough since. I don't think I'll wait any longer, I'm in rather a
hurry. Well, good-bye. And look here, old chap--I'm afraid I treated
you rather badly; but well let bygones be bygones. I don't want it to
get to the governor's ears, so you won't mention it, will you?"

Jack cast a contemptuous glance at the proffered hand, and put his own
behind his back.

"No; I won't tell any one," he answered shortly, then turned on his
heel, and that was his revenge.

And now the only person remaining of whom a last word might be said at
parting, is our hero himself.

It was a balmy evening in that eternal summer that seemed to reign at
Brenlands; and he and Queen Mab were walking slowly round the green
lawn, while the swallows went wheeling to and fro overhead.

Fastened to her bunch of trinkets next the locket was a silver
coin--the enlisting shilling, which Jack had never parted with since he
first received it on that memorable morning at the Melchester barracks.

"Yes," said Aunt Mabel, "it was Queen Victoria's once, but now it's
mine!"

"Well, I think I earned it," he answered, laughing.

"Perhaps you'd like to go and earn another?"

"No; I'm too happy where I am. Uncle J